Elephant

Mr Wolverine

Mr Wolverine

CGN Regular
Location
Manitoba. Canada
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Botswana - 13th Nov 08

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From left to right:
Modibedi- head tracker, Omkabetse – tracker, Roger Ramajaga – PH, Malebouo – Botswana game scout, Jeff Smith – PH "Unforgettable Safaris", Motlhasedi – tracker and myself.

More to follow.
 
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Running after this very agitated Black Mamba so I could get a better photo for Craig was probable one of the most stupidest things I have ever done! Jeff Smith (my PH) was yelling at me to get back, when I realized I was running to get a better camera angle but not gaining on this fellow, I got the hell out of there. Jeff then proceeded to tell me that “these snakes are really not my friends.” I was extremely stupid and very lucky, I was well aware how bad these are, I got to 15-20 yds from this fellow and was unarmed.

When I returned to Joberg I purchased an excellent little book on “Snakes and snake bite in Southern Africa’, quote: “Danger to man. This is without doubt one of the deadliest snakes in the world. It has large quantities of a very potent venom and the ability to inject a lot of venom in a single bite. Because of its length, it may also bite chest-high.” “The Black Mamba seldom permits a close approach (within 40 meters) if corned or threaded it will gape, exposing the black inner lining of it’s mouth, and will spread a narrow hood while waving the tongue slowly up and down. Any sudden movement at this stage will be met with a series of rapid strikes, often with fatal results."
 
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Nice Elephant!

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Dido to what he said.
What was the rifle used to take down that massive bull!
 
Yes, Elephant hunting is available, quantities are limited, but the Elephant population is strong and growing, sadly not enough space for all the Elephants and man. Hopefully we will be able to offer some Elephant hunts for clients next year. It is the ultimate hunting as far as I am concerned, you need to be fairly fit. Elephant are hunted by following the tracks, one day we covered 35 K before running out of water and forced to quit, we were still 1 ½ hours behind him.

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I used an old (1903) English double rifle in .470 NE, iron sights, a very traditional rifle for an elephant hunt and ideal for the job. She fires a 500 grain bullet at 2150 fps, the bullet is a Woodleigh solid. I took the shot from 25 paces, kneeling, it was a side brain shot and gave instant results.
 
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WoW!
Your shoulder must be still stinging 2 this day. A couple of more questions if you don't mind.
What outfitter were you with on this hunt? Or was it a company sponsored hunt?
Did you donate the meat to the locals? Or did you use it for bait on another dangerous game?
Please tell me how much was the taxidermy bill on this amazing trophy.
P.S. Your Company Rocks!!!
 
Satain said:
WoW!
Did you donate the meat to the locals? Or did you use it for bait on another dangerous game?
Please tell me how much was the taxidermy bill on this amazing trophy.
P.S. Your Company Rocks!!!
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Great question ... can't you see the faces of the locals how they shine with excitement since they will now have elephant to eat and won't be goin hungry.

Also, undeniably John is going to have the elephant stuffed and put it in his living room and start a hobby of making ivory carvings.

P.S. Please post a picture of a closeup shot of your black mamba
 
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I have over 600 pictures to sort out and will post more as time permits. First to answer some questions;

No my shoulder does not sting, I fired at least 10 rds per day from resting at 50 yds to off hand at 25, 20 and 15 yds per day for the 14 days prior to leaving. I once fired 36 rds in one afternoon when working up my reloads, on that occassion I noticed I had a "slight" flinch the next day.

The locals were offered the meat, they drove out in their donkey carts with axes and knives to do the butchering. We had them cut off the head, 16 men loaded the head onto the back of the Toyota truck for us. This truck hit and killed two cows in the road on the way home, but then that is how the whole trip went, I had a real adventure.

No I do not have a close up of the Black Mamba, and I have no intention of ever trying to get a close up of a snake like that! No matter how much you pay me.

Also a Leopard had a near miss with me, but that tale is for later.

As for the taxidermy bill, I am just having the tusks prepared with brass end caps to hang on the wall. Pat is a great wife, but I would not try and bring a stuffed Elephant in to the house, even I know when to stop.

My PH was Jeff Smith, Unforgetable Safaries, I have hunted with him on three different occassions now and he is excellent, we have become close frends and we would be very pleased to arrange bookings with him. Next year I plan to hunt a Cape Buffalo with Jeff and Matt is comimg along to hunt some plains game, I am afraid that nothing will ever compare with hunting Elephant. When the first bull, a huge fellow 15 ft to the top of his head ran up and stopped only 20 yds in front of me with 4 young bulls in support, it was an awsome sight. He was lucky he had a broken tusk, so I held my fire.
 
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Congradulations on a successful hunt. Many only dream of a hunt like that, myself included. What does a hunt like this cost v.s. hunting plains game?
What would you recommend for preperation for a hunt like this, other than your wallet?
 
Next year cost will be 20 to 25,000.00 US$. As for preperation, get fit, practice short range off hand shooting with your chosen rifle using your hunting loads and learn about Elephant. Research the Elephant, as a minimium read Richard Harland's "The Art of Hunting the African Elephant" and watch the 2 hour video "Hunting the African Elephant by Buzz Charlton" both are excellent. These are great animals and the more you learn about them the more you will enjoy the hunt. I am looking for two hunters to take back next year, any takers?
 
Congratulations! That sounds like quite the experience. (How do you top that???)

Looking forward to hearing more details about your trip.
 
Mr Wolverine said:
Next year cost will be 20 to 25,000.00 US$. As for preperation, get fit, practice short range off hand shooting with your chosen rifle using your hunting loads and learn about Elephant. Research the Elephant, as a minimium read Richard Harland's "The Art of Hunting the African Elephant" and watch the 2 hour video "Hunting the African Elephant by Buzz Charlton" both are excellent. These are great animals and the more you learn about them the more you will enjoy the hunt. I am looking for two hunters to take back next year, any takers?
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I left my $25 000 in my other pants.......:eek:
 
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